HomeKit News: Everything you need to know!

Thanks to Apple's HomeKit framework, dozens of companies can create smart home products that work together in a secure, user friendly way. From the HomeKit pairing process to the use of iPads and Apple TVs as HomeKit hubs within the home, Apple has crafted an elegant way to control your smart home products. The framework's popularity means news about HomeKit and HomeKit-enabled devices breaks all the time; bookmark this page and check back regularly for the latest, greatest, or most outrageous smart home news.

What's new with HomeKit?

Check back here for the latest updates in HomeKit news.

February 16, 2018 - Control your smart home in a whole new way with iDevices' Instant Switch

Today tech company iDevices officially launched the latest product in their connected home lineup: a new HomeKit-compatible wall switch. Called the Instant Switch, the controller was first announced at CES 2017 in Las Vegas and adheres directly to any wall with no complex installation required. The Instant Switch was designed to add even more flexibility to your smart home, allowing you to control difficult-to-reach lighting and other connected devices wirelessly with the push of a button.

The switch itself is powered by a long-lasting coin cell battery, and can be used regularly for up to two years or more without needing a battery replacement. It uses Bluetooth to connect to all your favorite smart home devices, and is compatible with with iOS devices running iOS 8.1 or higher as well as Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. It also, of course, perfectly coexists with iDevices' entire smart home ecosystem, including hard-wired iDevices products like the Dimmer Switch. This way, users can combine switches to create multiple custom control configurations.

Stylistically, the Instant Switch is minimal and discreet, and because it can be placed anywhere using its Command adhesive backing, you can either hide it away, place it wherever you would a normal light switch, or even get creative and attach it to furniture. Each switch includes a custom faceplate, but if you already have a specific style in mind (or if you don't like using adhesives on your walls) it also fits any standard rocker faceplate.

If you'd like to add the Instant Switch to your smart home system, its priced at $34.95 and can be purchased through the iDevices shop or on Amazon.

January 2, 2018 - GE's C by GE smart bulbs will be getting HomeKit support soon

After announcing it'd be adding HomeKit support for its C by GE
smart lighting collection back in May of 2017, GE is finally making good on its promise (after two delays, that is). First reported by Rob LeFebvre over at Engaget, HomeKit compatibility will be added to the C-Reach hub for two C by GE bulbs: the white C-Life and the temperature-shifting C-Sleep. As the names suggest, C-Life bulbs are for general use, while C-Sleep bulbs adjust their warmth based on the time of day in order to help you wind down for sleep and wake up refreshed.

Though Engaget's article strongly suggests the update is basically here, the C by GE website has yet to list HomeKit support under the list of features the bulbs boast — currently, you can only officially control the bulbs via the C by GE app or through Amazon Alexa. However, Android Headlines speculates that HomeKit compatibility will be arriving within the first quarter of 2018.

If you're interested in jumping on the C by GE bandwagon, you can grab the C by GE starter pack that includes the C-Reach hub, two C-Sleep bulbs, and two C-Life bulbs for $74.99.

Love the hip, vintage look of exposed filaments in your bulbs but desire all the modern-day convenience of smart lighting? Lighting company LEDVANCE's newly announced HomeKit-enabled Sylvania Smart+ Filament bulbs may be just the thing your home needs. Combining retro style with smart home functionality, these bulbs offer up to 650 lumens of 2700K light — that's equivalent to a 40W bulb — and are dimmable, so you can achieve the perfect brightness level for any occasion.

Because the Sylvania Smart+ Filament Bulb is HomeKit-enabled, users can control it from within Apple's Home app as well as integrate it with other HomeKit-enabled products. In addition, the bulb can be added to scenes controlling multiple smart home devices and will respond to Siri commands, meaning you can do things like start your coffee maker, play music, and turn on your bulbs all at once by greeting Siri in the morning.

Though the Sylvania Smart+ Filament Bulb isn't available for immediate purchase, you can pre-order it for $31.99 starting today. Bulbs will begin shipping in spring of 2018.

December 7, 2017 - Honeywell just rolled out the HomeKit support update for its Lyric security system controller

After announcing it'd be adding HomeKit support for its Lyric security system back in January of this year, connected home tech company Honeywell has finally rolled out the update, and it's now available for all Lyric system product users. The update is 100% free, and will come through Lyric Controller — the hub that manages the system's other components, like cameras and door sensors.

According to the company's press release, Honeywell's Lyric system is the first professionally installed and monitored security system to offer Apple HomeKit support. Scott Harkins, VP and General Manager of Connected Home at Honeywell, spoke about the advantages — for both dealers and consumers — of adding HomeKit support Lyric products in a statement:

Smart home technology has made consumers more reliant on their mobile devices to manage their homes. The addition of HomeKit support to the Lyric Controller improves the connected home experience for consumers, and provides new opportunities for dealers. Dealers can leverage the Apple ecosystem of HomeKit partners to expand their connected home offerings and deliver a robust interface to manage the home.

With the update to the Lyric system, users can now more effortlessly control their home's lights, doors, thermostats, and security cameras from any of their Apple devices with either the Home app or Siri. In addition, the Lyric system can now be integrated into a user's automated scenes, allowing them to affect multiple smart home components with a single command. Lyric users will also be able to gain access to their security system by authenticating their identity using either their device's passcode, Touch ID, and/or Face ID.

If you don't already own a Lyric security system but are interested in purchasing one now that it's supported by HomeKit, you can find a professional retailer and installer in your area by visiting Honeywell's Lyric page here.

November 16, 2017 - iHome has released a HomeKit-enabled outdoor plug just in time for holiday decorating

Today, tech accessory company iHome launched the iSP100 Outdoor Smart Plug — a tough, water-resistant HomeKit-enabled plug meant for outdoor use. It's perfect for outdoor holiday decorations up to 1800 watts, and can be controlled via both Siri and the Home app. This means it can be added to scenes as well, so you can, for instance, turn on your lights, your giant inflatable snowman, and Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" simultaneously. The plug also works with Amazon's Alexa-enabled devices, Google's Assistant, Wink, and Nest, so if you're not an Apple user, you'll still have tons of options for managing your decor situation.

In addition to the smart plug, iHome also released three new indoor sensors for monitoring your doors and windows and detecting water leaks. However, these unfortunately aren't HomeKit-enabled and are instead only controllable through the official iHome app.

The iSP100 is priced at $39.99. Though it is temporarily out of stock on Amazon, you can still order it now and they'll deliver it whenever it's available. If you don't want to wait, you can also grab it from iHome's website.

November 1, 2017 - IKEA finally launches HomeKit support for its TRÅDFRI smart lighting system

After a ton of delays and a couple of false starts, IKEA announced today on its TRÅDFRI smart lighting app that it is finally rolling out HomeKit support for the TRÅDFRI smart lighting system. According to German Apple-focused news site Macerkopf, users who already own the TRÅDFRI lighting system will need to generate an eight-digit code in the IKEA app in order to manually add their bulbs to the Apple Home app. However, if you get a newer version of the system, there will be a code on the underside of the gateway that you can input. After that, you can use the Home app, Siri, and the TRÅDFRI app to control your lights. You'll also be able to add them to scenes.

IKEA first announced that it would be adding HomeKit support for TRÅDFRI lights back in May. The company attempted to launch HomeKit capabilities in August and then again in October, but neither attempt was successful due to issues with the software update. Hopefully, third time's the charm! If you'd like to try IKEA's smart lighting, you can purchase both color and white bulbs as well as the necessary hub on the IKEA website. You can get the TRÅDFRI companion app here:

October 19, 2017 - Smart speaker Triby IO doubles as a HomeKit switch

First spotted by MacRumors, French tech company Invoxia's new Triby IO smart speaker offers full HomeKit integration and can be used as a HomeKit switch, meaning you can add pre-programmed scenes to the five buttons on the device.

Triby IO also supports Amazon's Alexa and Spotify and functions as a radio, a phone, a workout buddy, and a home intercom system (if you have other Triby speakers). You can set its buttons to control everything from your lights to your thermostat to your coffee maker, giving you full control over your connected home.

October 16, 2017 - Sylvania is adding two new HomeKit-enabled bulbs to its Smart+ smart lighting lineup

Lighting brand Sylvania has expanded its Smart+ lighting collection with two new lighting solutions that offer HomeKit support. This brings the total of HomeKit-enabled lighting products up to three, as the company also recently released a HomeKit-compatible color A19 bulb. All three can be controlled via the Home app or by simply voicing commands to Siri, and can also be added to preexisting "scenes." The best part is like LIFX HomeKit-enabled lights, none of Sylvania's lights require a hub in order to function — you just need a smartphone and the lighting itself.

The first of the new products is the Full Color LED Flex Strip. This is a strip of dimmable, color-changing LED lights that can be affixed to whatever surface you like. Its brightness maxes out at 400 lumens — definitely less than a bulb, but pretty good for a light strip. The Full Color LED Flex Strip is priced at $60.

The second newly released smart light is a simple A19 soft white LED bulb. This bulb has a brightness of 800 lumens and fits in most "normal" light sockets. The most cost-effective of Sylvania's smart lights, the Smart + A19 Soft White will only set you back $26.

Sylvania's HomeKit-enabled smart lights are priced at are available for preorder now. Delivery is expected at the beginning of November.

October 12, 2017 - Yale brings HomeKit support to its smart locks

Smart lock company Yale will soon be releasing its iM1 Network Module, a new add-on module that makes Yale's Assure Lock SL and Assure Lock Key Free Touchscreen Deadbolt compatible with HomeKit. With the module, users will be able to lock and unlock their home by using the Home app or asking Siri. You'll also be able to add the locks to scenes — for instance, "Siri, I'm going out" may turn your lights off and lock your doors. The locks can also be controlled by the Yale Secure app, which allows users to check the battery and current status of their locks, manage up to 25 PIN codes, customize lock settings, and add and name new locks.

The iM1 Network Module will be available for purchase Monday, October 16 and will cost $49.99 on its own. If you don't already own Yale devices, you can also grab the module in a bundle with either of the aforementioned smart locks for around $250.

IKEA, which already released its white smart bulbs back in August, is now adding some color to its HomeKit-enabled collection with a new E27 bulb called TRÅDFRI. Unfortunately, you won't be able to buy the color bulbs on their own — each comes bundled with a easy-to-understand hardware remote so users can control them without a smart device. Though they're not yet available online, stores across the US are well-stocked with them, so if you want one ASAP getting your hands on them shouldn't be difficult.

IKEA seems to be all aboard the Apple train at this point, as the company also recently launched a new ad campaign alerting Apple users to its Qi wireless charging products in the wake of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X announcements.

Philips has retroactively extended HomeKit support from just its [Hue bulbs] to Hue accessories. Hue tap, Hue dimmer switch and Hue motion sensor are now all HomeKit-enabled, and can be used to control other smart home products and Home app scenes in iOS 10 or later. Previously these devices could only control Hue lights alone.

Further changes will come in an update to the Phillips Hue app, such as improved software updates and the ability to reset your devices. The latest (second generation) Hue Bridge is required for the Hue tap, dimmer and motion sensor to be used with Home.

September 21, 2017 - LIFX lights are now HomeKit-enabled

Many of LIFX's smart lighting solutions now offer HomeKit support. If you already own LIFX lights but have yet to connect them to HomeKit, here's how:

Download the LIFX app if you haven't already (it's free on the App Store).

Open it up.

Click on the notification icon (shaped like a tiny bell) within the app.

Tap "Update firmware."

Follow all the in-app prompts to finish the upgrade.

"Tap HomeKit setup" and then "get code" to acquire your HomeKit code.

Use that code to pair with HomeKit within the LIFX app or the Home app.

After that, you can use HomeKit to control your LIFX lights or ask Siri to do it for you! If you don't already have LIFX lights in your smart home setup, you can choose from these options:

LIFX A19: A bright LED color smart bulb that goes in pretty much any light fixture (given that it doesn't have a metal shade). The A19 has 16 million colors to choose from and is compatible with LIFX app effects like Music Visualizer and Candle Flicker. Has an output of 1100 lumens.

LIFX Downlight: A 100mm color smart bulb and fixture combo. Has an output of 800 lumens. Priced at $69.99 a piece.

LIFX GU10: A compact, non-LED color smart bulb that goes in existing downlight fixtures. Has an output of 400 lumens. Priced at $59.99 a piece.

LIFX Tile: LIFX Tile is essentially a square tile you place on your wall that you can control with Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, or the LIFX app. You can change its color (there are 16 million to choose from) and play out groovy multicolor scenes across its 64 individual light zones. It's basically a light-based art installation for your wall. The LIFX Tile Kit comes with 5 Tiles and power pack, and is priced at $249.99.

LIFX +: The LIFX + smart bulbs are almost exactly like the aforementioned LIFX A19, but with one key difference: LIFX + bulbs are the only LIFX bulbs that use 950nm infrared light to help enhance the night vision of infrared security cameras. Priced at $79.99 a piece.

LIFX Beam: LIFX Beam, much like LIFX Tile, is artistic feature lighting. Instead of being in square tile form, though, it's in long slender beam form. Each beam is full-color (again, 16 million to choose from) and has 10 blended light zones so the different colors blend seamlessly into one another. The LIFX Beam Kit, which includes 6 straight beams, 1 corner beam, and a power pack, is priced at $199.99.

The weatherproof, indoor and outdoor camera with 1080p HD footage now works with Siri and the Home app for iOS.

Circle 2 and HomeKit gives you access to your camera's live stream from the Home app on your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, at home when you're on the same WiFi network or remotely if you have an Apple TV® or iPad set up as a home hub. If you're in the kitchen and you want to check who is at the front door, just ask Siri to show the camera live view with a simple command, "Hey Siri, show me the Home Security camera."

Logitech says you can also use the Circle 2's motion sensor to activate scenes and trigger automations.

Stay informed while you're away by receiving rich notifications on your iPhone or iPad lock screen or Apple Watch for Circle 2 activity. You can also use Circle 2's motion sensor to trigger home automation experiences such as turning the lights on when motion is detected, great for deterring unwanted visitors while you're away.

Existing Circle 2 owners can update their wired camera to take advantage of the new HomeKit integration. The Circle 2 is available for purchase on Amazon for about $180.

September 1, 2017 - Netatmo's Presence and Welcome security cameras are now HomeKit-enabled

Smart home company Netatmo announced that its security cameras, Welcome and Presence, will be compatible with Apple HomeKit through a new software upgrade beginning later this fall. The update will be automatic and will apply to both Netatmo cameras, including those already purchased, so fear not - if you already own Welcome or Presence, you don't have to buy a new one to get the upgrade.

Presence is a sleek outdoor security camera complete with weatherproofing, night vision and a smart floodlight. It's able to detect the presence of people, cars and animals, and sends you reports in real time if you're not currently viewing your property with live stream. Its indoor counterpart, Welcome, boasts facial recognition capabilities and notifies you when any of the alarms (smoke alarm, CO alarm, et cetera) in your home sound.

With new HomeKit compatibility, users will be able to have even more control over the security of their living space. You can:

Create custom "profiles" that work together with other HomeKit-enabled technology for certain situations - for instance, "Leave home" might lock doors and turn on Presence's floodlight sensor

Ask Siri to see specific areas in an around your home ("Siri, show me the backyard")

View the live stream from any of your cameras

Receive screenshots of visitors and notifications of movement in real time

Turn Presence's flood light on and off

Dim or brighten Presence's flood light

If you've yet to add security cameras to your collection of HomeKit-enabled tech, Presence and Welcome are available for purchase on Netatmo's website.

August 9, 2017 - Chamberlain's HomeKit-enabled MyQ Home Bridge is now available!

If you've been itchin' to get a HomeKit-enabled garage door opener, Chamberlain's updated MyQ Home Bridge might be what you're after! The MyQ Home Bridge will add HomeKit compatibility to any of the following MyQ-enabled garage door openers:

Chamberlain and LiftMaster Internet Gateway (MyQ Home Bridge is a replacement for this device and adds HomeKit compatibility)

If you want to be able to check on the status of your garage door when you're away from home (did you remember to close it?), control your garage door with the Home app for iOS and your voice (Hey Siri, open my garage door), and create schedules for MyQ lighting, you should snag the new MyQ Home Bridge while it's on sale for $49.99.

Apple has added an interactive HomeKit experience to 46 of its retail locations around the world. Visitors to these locations can get an idea of what it's like to use Apple's HomeKit technology to control HomeKit-enabled accessories using Siri, the Home app on iOS, and HomeKit apps.

The retail locations reportedly feature HomeKit-enabled shades, lighting, and fans. Someone wanting to learn a little more about HomeKit can discover how easy it is to turn on a fan, draw the shades, and warm up the color of the lights in a room. It's an excellent way to get people excited about home automation and get them purchasing HomeKit-enabled accessories within retail stores.

It's a smart move by Apple; I've seen the word "HomeKit" met with too many blank stares to believe that the technology is well known enough to not need experiences like this. The best way for someone to understand the power (and fun) of a smart home is to give it a go. Hopefully Apple considers bringing the HomeKit experience to more of its retail stores. According to TechCrunch, a non-interactive version of the new HomeKit experience will be offered at all of the company's retail locations.

Koogeek just announced a new HomeKit-enabled Wi-Fi smart bulb and let me tell ya, folks, this thing is unique. It's sort of shaped like a candelabra bulb, but don't let that fool you — this is a bulb for your run-of-the-mill socket (E26 in the U.S. and E27 in the E.U.). It connects directly to your Wi-Fi network so you won't have to use a hub or bridge (like Philips Hue or Lutron Caséta).

Its unique shape and design are neat, but what really makes this bulb stand out is its price. It retails for $37, making it one of the least-expensive Wi-Fi-connected HomeKit-enabled multicolor bulbs on the market. At that price it gets a little more reasonable to consider an all-out upgrade to HomeKit-enabled lights. The only thing that stands out as a potential con is the light's brightness. At 500 lumens it's far dimmer than the 800-lumen multicolor bulb offered by Philips Hue.

I'm going to be reviewing a few of these new Koogeek bulbs soon, so be on the lookout for a little more info! Until then, here's a spec chart with the what-you-need-to-knows:

Category

Features

Base type

E26 (Medium screw base)

Rated power

8 watts

Bulb equivalent

60 watts

Number of colors

16 million colors

Color temperature

2700K-6000K

Lumens

500 lumens

CRI

> 80

Bulb lifetime

25,000 hours

Beam angle

199.9°

Material

Plastic and Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)

Input

120V AC, 60Hz 0.2A (Max.)

New automation features and accessories are coming to HomeKit in iOS 11!

When iOS 11 hits devices this fall, smart home dabblers will be able to tinker with some new automations and a couple new accessories.

Location-based automations: Location-based automations are going to be a whole lot more powerful, come iOS 11. Automations can trigger based on the location of people you've invited to control your HomeKit home. That means scenes and accessories can be controlled when a certain person arrives home, when multiple people arrive home, when a certain person leaves home, or when multiple leave home. Automations can also be tied to a generalized value: "Only trigger this automation when no one is home," "only trigger this automation when someone is home," or "only trigger this automation when everyone is home."

New time-based automations: There are several new time-based automation options that offer more than just date and sunrise/sunset triggers. You can set a specific time, you can trigger automations at a certain time before or after sunrise or sunset, and you can trigger automations for a specified period of time ("turn on this light for ten minutes when I arrive home and turn it off after the timer has elapsed").

New accessories: HomeKit-enabled sprinklers and faucets have been added to the HomeKit framework. While you can't currently purchase any HomeKit-enabled faucets or sprinklers, it's likely there will be products available when iOS 11 ships this fall.

Elgato today announced its brand new Eve Degree temperature and humidity sensor. The device, which works with Apple HomeKit, is an impressive update to the Elgato Eve Weather. Featuring on-board temperature and humidity sensors and IPX3 certification, the Eve Degree is as much at home outside as it is inside.

Its design is reminiscent of Apple in that it features a beautiful aluminum enclosure and glossy black front. It's certainly not something you'll feel the need to hide behind the sofa or behind a lawn ornament.

Smart home accessory maker Belkin has announced its Wemo line of smart home products will work with Apple's HomeKit. The company plans to release a HomeKit-enabled bridge that'll connect to a home network.

The Wemo Bridge connects to any home Wi-Fi router via an Ethernet cable to enable HomeKit integration into Wemo smart plugs and light switches in the home. The bridge then leverages the Wi-Fi of the home router to send the HomeKit capabilities from Siri enabled devices such as Apple iPhones, iPads and Apple watches to Wemo smart plugs and light switches.

The company's plugs and light switches will be controllable via both Siri and Apple's Home app for iOS. The products will also work with any apps that make use of Apple's HomeKit framework.

May 23, 2017 - IKEA's Trådfri smart lighting system to work with Apple HomeKit

IKEA's smart lighting range, which offers smart bulbs, lighting panels, and lighted doors for IKEA cabinetry, will be getting Apple HomeKit support sometime in the summer or fall. The smart lighting system works a little like Philips Hue in that the lighting products take their cues from a central bridge that connects to your home network.

In the summer and fall will be able to connect their smart lighting with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and install and adjust the lighting using Apple Home app and make it work together with other accessories used together with HomeKit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa - such as thermostats, door locks, sensors, ceiling fans, blinds and more.

It's unclear whether IKEA will release an updated bridge in the summer or fall or if the current bridge can be updated to support Apple HomeKit. IKEA's smart lighting range features some of the least-expensive smart devices on the market. With wireless dimmers, motion sensors, wireless remotes, and more, IKEA's system is a worthy competitor for the über popular Philips Hue line.

May 17, 2017 - Logitech POP Smart Button now available in Apple Stores and online

Logitech's new HomeKit-enabled smart button, the Logitech POP, is now available for purchase in Apple retail stores. The Logitech POP Smart Button Kit includes an updated HomeKit-enabled bridge that enables both Siri voice control and interactions via the Home app for iOS.

If you're eager to get your hands on the new POP and can't get to an Apple store, keep checking Apple's online store — Logitech says it plans to sell the POP in Apple's online store before it comes to other stores later this year.

NBC News published an empowering story about an IT consultant named Todd Stabelfeldt who uses Apple's HomeKit framework to live a more independent life. Stabelfeldt is a 38-year-old quadriplegic man who, as the result of an injury when he was eight years old, has had no movement below his shoulders for more than 30 years.

Using the HomeKit-enabled accessories in his self-titled, "Quadthedral" smart home, Stabelfeldt is able to leverage both Siri and Apple's Home app to go about his day:

Features like Apple's "Home" app allow Stabelfeldt to control a variety of smart accessories in his house — from door locks and window shades, to lights and his garage door. The best part for Stabelfeldt? He can command Apple's intelligent digital assistant Siri to work it all.

When he's not using his voice to control his smart home technology, Stabelfeldt makes use of Apple's Switch Control software which allows him to use special hardware for controlling iOS without the use of his hands.

It's really incredible seeing how Stabelfeldt has taken this technology and used it to not only increase his independence, but improve the way he works in his home. I encourage you to read the feature over on NBC News — it's a touching example of how tech can improve our lives and a reminder of what we sometimes take for granted. I think that sentiment is captured perfectly in what Apple's Sarah Herrlinger told NBC News:

For some people, doing something like turning on your lights or opening a blind or changing your thermostat might be seen as a convenience, but for others, that represents empowerment, and independence, and dignity.

The cat's out of the bag, folks, and the Alexa-enabled ecobee4 smart thermostat is very real and very awesome!

The ecobee4 comes with embedded microphones that feature far-field voice recognition (the same technology that makes the Amazon Echo hear you from across the room) and a speaker that makes Alexa sound loud and clear, despite coming from a thermostat fastened to your wall.

That means, on top of having all the same great features as the ecobee3 (HomeKit-enabled, satellite room sensors, energy-saving benefits), you can use the ecobee4 in the same way you'd use an Echo, Echo Dot, or Tap. Ask Alexa to set a timer, adjust the lighting, give you the steps to a recipe, play some jazz — you can do it all right from your smart thermostat.

Ecobee4 is available for pre-order at the moment; the Alexa-enabled smart thermostat will run you $249.

I just got an email this morning from Ecobee that's hinting at something big coming from the company on May 3. Here's an excerpt from the email along with an animated GIF that reveals something awfully familiar:

We've got something big in the works and we want you to be one of the first people to know what it is.
Let's just say it's worth talking about.

Ecobee says it'll be making an announcement on its Facebook page via Facebook Live. You can keep an eye on Ecobee's Facebook page by Liking it. I'll update this post on May 3 with any details the company shares!

Let me be clear: We're not talking Amazon Alexa support — the ecobee3 already features Alexa support — we're talking full-on, built-in Alexa. Zatz Not Funny recently shared FCC documents that show a speaker on the back of the device. The new marketing materials show an LED light strip across the top of the device that's reminiscent of other Alexa-Enabled devices. And lest ye think it'll just be a fancy way to adjust the temperature in your home, the marketing materials seem to suggest otherwise. From Zatz Not Funny:

Newly discovered ecobee4 product marketing materials confirm the presence of Alexa … to not only adjust one's temperature via speech recognition, but leverage many if not all of Amazon's voice assistant capabilities.

I may or may not have cursed excitedly when I came across this leak (I definitely did). My love for the ecobee3 Smart Thermostat is well-documented: It's a superior thermostat to the popular Nest Learning Thermostat, it's a HomeKit-enabled device, it features remote room sensors (that are also HomeKit-enabled), and it integrates with almost every smart home platform. That Ecobee might build Alexa into the device makes my love grow 10 sizes. I'm going to enjoy having Alexa in yet another place in my home, but I think there's something more important here: Folks who have yet to add an always-on smart assistant to their smart home setup can kill two smart birds with one smart stone. Thermostats are typically installed in centralized locations within the home; adding smart thermostat functionality and a voice-controlled assistant in a central location, all in one purchase is a fan-friggin'-tastic deal.

While we're on the subject of leaks and rumors, our friends at Thrifter have unearthed a nearly $60 discount on the ecobee3 smart thermostat. Could these ongoing discounts from ecobee be a sign that it's trying to clear out stock of the ecobee3 before launching ecobee4? 🤷‍♀️ I'm not sayin' … I'm just sayin'.

May 3, 2017 - Brookfield Residential will offer HomeKit compatibility as a standard in new builds

Homebuilding company Brookfield Residential says it will offer HomeKit compatibility in all new community builds as a standard. The Delano neighborhood in Irvine's Eastwood Village will be the first neighborhood to get HomeKit-enabled homes. Brookfield Residential will also offer HomeKit compatibility in the following neighborhoods:

The Collection in Playa Vista

Flora, Prado, and Haciendas at Escaya in Chula Vista

Vientos, Candela, and Terracina at Rancho Tesoro in San Marcos

Beverly at Eastwood in Irvine

Citrus in Palm at Rosedale in Azusa

Shutters at Edenglen in Ontario Ranch

While home owners will be able to add any HomeKit-enabled accessories to their home and count on compatibility with their system, Brookfield Residential will include the following accessories in new builds:

Lutron Caseta lighting

Honeywell Lyric T6 Smart WiFi Thermostat

Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt

The homebuilder will also include Ubiquiti Wireless Access Points in the home to improve Wi-Fi performance for the HomeKit-enabled accessories and internet access.

HomeKit's advantages extend to security and privacy, because communication from the iOS device and home accessories are encrypted, with all home data living privately on the device, not stored in the cloud.

You can read more about Brookfield Residential's connected home efforts here.

April 25, 2017 - Hubbell Inc. acquires iDevices

By joining the Hubbell family, iDevices secures the backing and capabilities of a well-established industry leader, while Hubbell strengthens its innovation engine with iDevices' knowledge and expertise in the connected Internet of Things marketplace.

iDevices makes my all-time favorite Wi-Fi smart switch and I couldn't help but panic when I heard the company had been acquired; I don't want anything to happen to the most reliable, most user-friendly, most aesthetically pleasing smart switch one could ask for!

Still, from the press release, it sounds like Hubbell is a good fit for the company:

Combining iDevices' experience in developing and designing smart home solutions with Hubbell's extensive expertise in manufacturing and distribution across residential, commercial and industrial markets will lay the perfect groundwork for a partnership in IoT at a significant scale.

In other words, Hubbell wants a little of the internet of things action in return for better distribution to customers both residential and commercial/industrial. Heck, as long as Hubbell's doing the IoT learning, I think iDevices is in good hands.

A programmable button, in HomeKit terms, is a device that can trigger different scenes and actions for your various HomeKit-enabled accessories. Depending on the button, different gestures can trigger different actions. Put in physical terms, you hit the button and stuff happens in your house: You might have it set up to turn on all the lights in your kitchen, turn down the thermostat, or lock the front door — the possibilities are endless! The Logitech POP Smart Button is only the first HomeKit-enabled programmable button; you can bet more companies will create programmable buttons of their own.

The POP Smart Button is a tiny (2.36 in x 2.36 in) programmable button that comes in four colors: white, coral, teal, and alloy. To get things going you'll buy the POP Smart Button Starter Kit — that includes a white POP, a tiny white bridge device (same size as the POP), and mounting tape for stickin' your Smart Button wherever you'd like! After you've got a POP bridge, you can buy as many extra buttons you want in any of the colors I mentioned before. You won't have to buy a load of POPs to control a room, because each POP supports three separate actions: pressing once, pressing twice, and pressing and holding will all trigger different actions. You also won't have to buy a load of batteries to keep POP running. Logitech says the button's replaceable battery lasts about five years.

The HomeKit-enabled POP will support any HomeKit-enabled accessories. The POP also natively supports the following devices:

Philips Hue bulbs

Insteon bulbs

LIFX bulbs

Lutron lighting and shades

Hunter-Douglas shades

August Smart Lock

Sonos speakers

SmartThings hub

Belkin WeMo

IFTTT integrations

Several Harmony remotes and hubs

So when and where can you get one? When? Logitech says soon. Where? The POP Smart Button Kit and POP Add-on Smart Buttons will, for a time, be exclusive to Apple stores and on Apple's site. The Kit and Buttons will hit other retailers later this year. As for price, the POP is actually one of the least-expensive HomeKit-enabled products I've come across!

POP Smart Button Kit: $59.99

Add-on POP Buttons: $39.99

You can check out this video for a demonstration of the Logitech POP Smart Button.

Underneath the Lights section on Apple's new HomeKit page several bulbs claim to be coming soon. The iLuv Rainbow8 bulb just beat the others to the punch. The Rainbow8 is a WiFi-connected, HomeKit-enabled bulb that's a lot like the Philips Hue White and Color bulb.

The iLuv Rainbow8 bulb is a 60W equivalent lightbulb — that means you're looking at a light output of 800 Lumens. And, just like any other LED bulb, you can count on upwards of 20,000 hours of bulb life. The bulbs can dim and change color. iLuv says there are more than 16 million possible colors to choose from.

I'm kind of in love with iLuv's method for communicating status. Here are a couple status messages and the way they're communicated with bulb colors:

One of the things that sets this bulb apart (and one of the things iLuv keeps mentioning in its promotional copy) is its WiFi connectivity. Most smart bulbs use either Bluetooth LE or a bridge to send and receive communications. When you issue a command to your Philips Hue bulbs, you're actually issuing a command to the Philips Hue bridge. The bridge then tells the bulbs what they need to do. For Bluetooth LE, you're using a potentially less-reliable Bluetooth connection to control your bulbs — WiFi seems to handle interference and distance far better than Bluetooth LE.

The Rainbow8 bulb costs $49.99. That's comparable to a Philips Hue White and Color bulb, but there's something important to consider in comparing prices: A single Philips Hue White and Color bulb costs $49.99 but you still have to buy the Philips Hue bridge to control said light. When you buy the $49.99 Rainbow8 bulb, that's all you need to buy — it's one complete package — bulb and connectivity — per bulb.

March 10, 2017 - WeberHaus pre-fab homes to feature HomeKit control

Apple's been tackling HomeKit saturation on two fronts: product integration and home construction. As more and more HomeKit-enabled accessories hit the market, more and more home builders are offering HomeKit integration as part of the construction package.

I have to say, I'm a little (a lot) jealous of the possibilities that a fully HomeKit-enabled home offers. Get a load of this line from the WeberHaus press release:

With the Apple Home app, and Siri, home owners can control main home systems like underfloor heating, blinds and the installed light system as well as additional HomeKit enabled accessories including light bulbs, smart plugs, radiator valves, sensors for measuring air quality and water leaks, and more.

In case that didn't quite sink in, you can control your doggone underfloor heating with your doggone iPhone and your doggone voice! Now that's the doggone future.

I've always held that the biggest hurdle for home automation is complete and total permeation within the home. You truly can't grasp the awesomeness that is the connected home until you've got all your lights, heating, locks, doors, windows, fans, etc. working together to offer you your personalized living experience. Turning on a single light bulb in your home with your phone is cool the first five or six times, but the real power is having an entire room activate as you enter it.

If I had a choice between slowly building out my connected home over time with individual products or buying an already outfitted connected home, I'd choose the latter. I haven't figured out a way (yet) to HomeKit enable my underfloor heating. With a pre-fab WeberHaus home, I wouldn't have to.

WeberHaus will be showing a demo house with HomeKit control at the "World of Living" exhibit in Rheinau-Linx. If you live anywhere nearby, I expect photos!

March 3, 2017 - Apple launches mini site devoted to HomeKit and the Home app

I've been waiting for Apple create its latest mini site since I first heard the word "HomeKit" way back in 2014. The site, lovingly nestled within the iOS section of Apple's site features a fun film that shows off some of the cool stuff you can do with HomeKit-enabled accessories, Siri, and the iOS Home app. Personally, I think the gal in the video has way too many HomeKit scenes, but that's neither here nor there.

If you're curious, you can check out the page at the following link. If you wanna know what you're getting yourself into first, read on!

The mini site is all about HomeKit, the Home app, and HomeKit-enabled accessories. It's dedicated to not only explaining what the heck that little orange, house-shaped tile on your iPhone is for, it's dedicated to explaining the benefits and possibilities of home automation with HomeKit and the Home app.

You can get a brief overview of the Home app, learn about HomeKit scenes, Siri voice control, HomeKit automations, HomeKit-enabled accessories, and home hubs. You can also get help with setup. Apple's linked to a support article with loads of information about setting up your various gadgets in the Home app.

Most importantly, there's now a page that shows all the HomeKit-enabled accessories approved by Apple. The page is beautifully designed and split into accessory type, so you can tap (or click) to jump to a specific section.

The list has links to the various accessories (YESSSS!) and offers up information about their availability. The availability tags include Announced and Coming Soon. It's not entirely clear what they mean, but we can use context clues to decipher:

Announced: Either the product has been announced for the first time or HomeKit compatibility has been announced. I get the impression this means it'll be awhile before we see the product available for purchase.

Coming soon: I take it this is a step above "Announced". The product (or HomeKit compatibility) is right around the corner. I wish I knew the exact timeframe, 'cause there are a few accessories on the list I'm eyeballing.

Apple's list of HomeKit-enabled accessories used to be buried in its vast Apple Support database. The page was a long, bulleted list (without links!) of available HomeKit-enabled accessories — upcoming accessories weren't listed. It also wasn't updated as often as HomeKit-enabled gadgetry was hitting the market.

This is not a drill! The first HomeKit-enabled camera has hit Apple's online store. D-Link's Omna 180 Cam is now available for purchase online and will soon be sold in Apple stores around the world.

The D-Link Omna 180 Cam HD is a HomeKit-enabled, 1080p HD camera that offers a unique 180º field of view.

The device features motion detection, two-way audio (i.e. a speaker and a microphone), a MicroSD card slot for local recording, IR LEDs for viewing in low-light conditions, and a very svelte metallic frame.

The D-Link Omna is your pretty standard package when it comes to in-home cameras, save for one detail: HomeKit support! D-Link has successfully taken the lead on the HomeKit-enabled security camera market.

I hope D-Link's win inspires more companies to get their cameras ship-shape and out on the market soon.

Ecobee is rolling out an update for its ecobee3 smart Wi-Fi thermostat that enables HomeKit compatibility for its motion and temperature sensors. Now you can use the individual sensors as HomeKit-enabled accessories of their own, increasing your home automation possibilities!

When it comes to smart thermostats, I'll say this time and time again: Ecobee's ecobee3 Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat is the best money can buy. Not only is it HomeKit-enabled (a must for me), but it also features a handy trick that many other thermostats don't: remote room sensors that keep track of temperature and motion in different locations within your home. Why is this important? Because not all rooms are heated (or cooled) equally — the sensor helps your thermostat understand the actual temperature throughout your home, not just the area around your thermostat.

One thing that disappointed me about the ecobee3, though, was that the temperature and motion sensing capabilities were walled off from HomeKit and the iOS Home app. Ecobee must've heard me crying myself to sleep at night over it, 'cause they've updated their firmware to give users access to the motion and temperature sensors!

If you have an ecobee3, keep your eyes peeled for firmware update 3.7.0.969 (it's rolling out). In the meantime, you can plan some nifty new tricks for your smart home by checking out my piece on adding Automations with the iOS Home app. Think of the possibilities!

By the way, if you're still on the fence about which smart thermostat makes the most sense for your home, take it from me: You honestly cannot go wrong with the ecobee3.

Between the HomeKit compatibility and the remote sensors, it slides right on past the competition. It was incredibly easy to set up, too, which can be a bit of an issue for other smart thermostats out there.

If you're running iOS and you're looking to go smart with your HVAC, it's a no-brainer.

The company is building a set of properties in San Jose, California that will sport a smart home package filled to the brim with HomeKit-enabled accessories.

From the press release:

KB homeowners can simply and securely monitor and control Apple HomeKit-compatible accessories, such as lighting, door locks and other security features, and more, conveniently from their iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.

It's unclear which accessories will be available in the new homes, but KB Home has a model home set up with all the included goodies! It's already open for tours, so if you're anywhere near 307 Adeline Street in San Jose, you should definitely check it out.

Home automation's single greatest hurdle is lifestyle integration. Early adopters and enthusiasts (like myself) are fine grafting these accessories onto and into our homes and lifestyles, but for most people there's a steep learning curve and an even steeper accessory-saturation curve.

An "accessory-saturation" what now‽

What I mean by "accessory-saturation curve" is it often takes a long time for a person to build out a HomeKit-enabled house. They buy a couple lights, add a smart lock, install an internet-connected fan, get a camera, etc., but that can be a multi-year process.

The power and convenience (and utter awesomeness) of home automation, I'd argue, isn't realized until you've got accessory-saturation. When a HomeKit-enabled motion sensor can trigger the lights, start the fan, and turn up the heat all at once — that is the power of home automation. Flipping on and off a single light with your voice is fun at first, but it loses its novelty after awhile. It's not as powerful as a whole-home home-automation setup.

That, I think, is why getting homebuilders involved in the process is going to be a boon for home automation: We will have accessory-saturation from the get go, giving us the opportunity to see the true power of this stuff.

October 26, 2016 - Elgato launches HomeKit-enabled Eve Light Switch

One of the peskiest hurdles in home automation is replacing your current home setup and re-learning habits. You go from flipping switches on walls to commanding virtual assistants with your voice or poking at a phone with your finger. And while you eventually do pick up the new habits, it can be a struggle instructing guests on how to control the lighting, heating and cooling, fans, blinds, etc. in your home.

Elgato's new Eve Light Switch solves this problem by combining the familiarity of a light switch with the convenience and — I'll admit it — coolness of home automation.

Elgato isn't the first company to offer a HomeKit-enabled light switch. Lutron's Caséta Wireless line has HomeKit-enabled switches and dimmers. The difference, however, is that Lutron's line requires a centralized hub — one you have to purchase separately. The Eve Light Switch uses Bluetooth LE that's built right into the switch, so you don't need a separate hub.

Mikah Sargent

Mikah Sargent is Senior Editor at Mobile Nations. When he's not bothering his chihuahuas, Mikah spends entirely too much time and money on HomeKit products. You can follow him on Twitter at @mikahsargent if you're so inclined.